Rightful cabernet franc reserve, dryness. And red raspberry aroma. Yes, cool climate sort. Could be taken for a Chinon. Good acid, fine tannin. Balance. 91+/100.

Est. 1909; latitude 39 degrees in Patagonia. Warm, suave dark fruited. The fruit is especially rich this vintage. Fine grained tannins keep it honest. 90/100.

2018: Well, this is certainly a dark hued customer. Sweet, strong, and stout hearted Argentine cabernet. Sweet and mouthfilling. Varietal aromatics still in formation. Satisfying textural presence already though. 90/100.

2019: First time in MI in decades; est. 1909; latitude 39 degrees in Patagonia; James Suckling 92/100. Dark colored, dark fruited, full fledged Argentine malbec. Sports a high latitude coolness too. Nothing Mendoza syrupy about it. Bright and full varietal character of black cherry and black pepper. Fine acidity. Well balanced. Both mealworthy and ageworthy. Popular with the group. 91+/100.

James Suckling 91/100. My notes: Vineyards at 1300 meters. Aged 3 months in French oak barrels. Dark red violet. Both ample and elegant. High altitude elegance as well as what French oak adds. Always a good bet..and value. Yes, unusual degree of charm in its class. Balance, purity, clarity, ease. Full and amazingly smooth at a year and half. Good texture, balance, finish. Use often. 91/100.

Wine & Spirits 93 - BEST BUY: 'The partnership between Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite) and Catena, launched in 1999, produces this 'second' wine with a higher proportion of malbec and less time in oak barrels than the flagship wine (also recommended here). In 2017, Amancaya is the more elegant of the two. The blend includes 33 percent cabernet sauvignon and spends a year in barrels (20 percent new): It's smoky, dark and earthy, with fine cocoa-powder tannins giving the violet-scented fruit a lithe line.'

2019: Decanter 95/100. NY Times 20 Under $20: 'The aromas of jalapenos, which I find quite attractive, along with earthy flavors of red fruits.'

2021: Parker 91: 'The juicy and young 2021 Catena Malbec has a nice combination of spice, berry and herbs to make it balanced, expressive and attractive. It's round, velvety and nicely crafted in an easy to understand and highly drinkable style and a commercial profile. A champion in drinkability.'

2021: Sweet but also elegant. Nice and modest alcohol at 13%. Full bodied. Nicely fruity and dry-ish. Well balanced, well made. Long, lightly chewy finish. 91/100.

Suckling 90: 'Blackberry, dark chocolate and some walnut character. Chewy. Savory finish. Hints of dried fruit. Spicy.'

2022: With 5% each merlot, syrah, cab sauv. Aged 10 months in French oak. The fresh, high altitude house style. Seems some whole bunch fermentation too. Sweet black cherry malbec with lift. Surprising sweetness and density. This will appeal to a wide audience. 91/100.

By ace Napa Valley winemaker Paul Hobbs. Dark red violet. Thick, deep, thoroughly saturated Mendoza malbec. Some oak seasoning too. Best vintage of this I've nosed. The palate is equally concentrated, lavish. Essence of malbec; there are so many underwhelming ones out there. Deal! 93/100.

2020: Deep, purple color. That has a certain freshness to it; a relief. Modest varietal intensity. Good black cherry varietal character and more oomph on the palate than the nose suggested. Clear and balanced. 91/100

2019: Good freshness, lift. Flavor, buoyancy, varietal ID, balance of acid, tannin, strength at 13.5%. Not al all pandering. Suits my tastes all around. 91/100.

2019: Est. 2007; former apprentice of Michel Rolland; oenologist at Bodega Monteviejo and Chateau Le Gay Pomerol; aged a year in French oak barriques; James Suckling 94/100. Big and bold and black malbec. Barrel aging adds a good measure of sophistication as well as significant framework. Very solid; not Rolland overblown. Sweet black fruits and oak spices. I guess the palate has more Rolland leanings. Large and generous wine, a cut above the norm so earning its higher price. Mineral salt on finish. 91+/100.

Wine Enthusiast 91: 'Textbook Malbec aromas of fresh blackberries and violets introduce a fresh palate, featuring energized acidity, a textured mouthfeel, and firm tannins. Balanced flavors of strawberries, red plums, and hints of cinnamon extend the finish.'

Wine & Spirits 91: 'Rich and juicy, bursting with blueberry and blackberry flavors, this blend of equal parts tannat and malbec manages to present both varieties without overpowering either. Tense in its structure, it captures the syrupy-violet richness of malbec without losing the tannins of tannat, though those tannins take a few days to coalesce.'

All malbec. From four estate vineyards, including 60% from the Colome vineyard surrounding the winery at over 7000 feet. Aged 15 months in second through fifth use French oak barrels. Oh, this is big and beautiful. In every sense, it fulfills expectations in this great series. Intense but noble and elegant, and the oak is so wonderfully integrated while impactful. Full, flavorful, balanced, lasting, all. Great price! 93+/100.

2020: Proper cold cream aroma of gewurz-leaning torrontes. Flavor confirms. Good acid. More citrus the second evening, giving additional vitality. Dry but not austerely so. Improves with aeration. 90+/100.

Parker 91: 'Issuing from pergola-trained vines at 1,800 meters in elevation in Tolombón, the 2024 Serie A Torrontés is pure and lifted on the nose. It displays the grape's classic floral exuberance and delivers it with transparency and precision. The palate is similarly pure and lively, concluding with a perfumed, citrus-tinged finish. Drink 2025 - 2028.'

Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Best Buys 90/100 - #82: 'Intense aromas of blackberries mixed with a dash of nutmeg on the nose of this structured Cabernet. Well-defined blackberry and cherry flavors meet light notes of bay leaf and dark chocolate on the flavorful palate. The finish is long and offers dried herbs.'

2021: Est. 1892. Rich and full of material, with marked oak complexity to boot. Wow. Size and force and delivery. Yes, rich, ripe, well framed and sooo generously filled out. Ideal. 92/100.

Fresh and juicy. Always is. Flavorful. All the positive aspects of carmenere. Ready to serve. 90/100.

Near the mouth of the valley, the coolest zone; aged a year on lees in French oak cooperage. Dark red black. Ripe black cherry. Varietal richness and give. No drawbacks. All fruit; no herb; no earth. Rich and round fruit absorbs the high alcohol, which supplies body but no heat. This source knows what to do with carmenere; always has. 92/100. In addition to cherry, attendees noted dark chocolate and dark-roast coffee beans. Some bell pepper also emerged with aeration, not uncommon in carmenere's aromatic profile.

Wine Enthusiast 91 - TOP 100: 'Spicy berry aromas are accented by black tea and leafy scents that create an ideal Carmenere nose. A tightly concentrated palate offers mixed berry flavors touched up by the right level of oak and spice. A steady finish brings juicy acidity and toasty notes.'

Wine Enthusiast 90 - #95 TOP 100: 'Hints of peppercorn on the nose lead to a palate full of red fruit flavors, followed by licorice and leafy notes. Soft yet firm tannins and moderate freshness provide balance, enhancing its friendly character.'

Wine Enthusiast 91 - #86 TOP 100: 'Impressive, fruit-forward aromas of red berries mixed with a dash of oak spices set the stage for an equally delicious palate. Good acidity provides freshness and energy to raspberry and savory flavors.'

2017: Unique. Really an illuminating take on the humble pais. Exceptional fresh, fruity, floral. Kudos to the winemaker. Fruit juicy good. Vigorous. Wild. Pushes VA without crossing the border. 91/100.

Ricardo Baettig makes this wine from three estate vineyards in Lo Ovalle, a valley in the coastal range of northwestern Casablanca. A crisp, lightly citrusy, lightly tropical nose. Tighter laced than NZ sauvignons. Haunting array of ruby red grapefruit and soft tropical fruits. Delightful for both gustatory appeal and the thought provoked aspect thanks to the uniqueness of its aromatic set. On Valentine's Day, truly a heart throb. 92/100.

Wine Enthusiast 91 - TOP 100 BEST BUYS: 'Impressive, fruit-forward aromas of red berries mixed with a dash of oak spices set the stage for an equally delicious palate. Good acidity provides freshness and energy to raspberry and savory flavors.'

2021: All sauvignon gris; cuttings brought from Graves early last century. This one's understated to start too. I don't get an SUS issue. Wow, that's about the briskest, brightest fruit acidity I'm ever found in this cuvee. Exceptionally flavorful too. Those nutty gris aspects as well as innate sauvignon citricity. Worth the pursuit to catch one like this at the right stage. 91/100. Attendees appreciated its uniqueness and quality.